Which NBA teams are closest to a title?

Franchises No. 15 through No. 9, No. 9, No. 9

Perhaps the reader is familiar with the first installment, published exactly one whole coup ago.

Here is the middling installment.

15. Atlanta Hawks

Atlanta is interesting, sad.

We ranked ‘em at No. 15 to start this enterprise because hilarious, the Hawks are forever .500. Yet recently things turned dour: Jalen Johnson out for the season with a torn left labrum, Atlanta could not shoulder his absence, losing its first five contests without him (eight of nine overall).

ATL’s 2025 first-round pick goes to San Antonio, due to the Dejounte Murray deal. There is no relief in resting legs and looking forward to 2025-26, handing as many reps as possible to rookie Zaccharie Risacher. The 20-year old is no guarantee to lose Atlanta games anyway, recently dropping 20 in the first half against Cleveland IN Cleveland, doing his best work in the only competitive part of Atlanta’s 22-point loss.

So, yes, of course: Atlanta should try to outmuscle the Warriors and trade for Kevin Durant.